Erdoğan: “No initiative that ignores the sovereign equality, rights and legitimate interests of Turkish Cypriots, will succeed”

President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the nation at the Presidential Complex following a Cabinet meeting in the capital, Ankara.

President Erdoğan stated that no initiative undermining Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign equality, rights and legitimate interests will succeed.

He also welcomed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent visit to the island, saying Türkiye has consistently supported his peace efforts and will remain in close consultation with him.

Recalling last week’s commemoration marking the 52^nd anniversary of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, Erdoğan described July 20, 1974, as “a historic turning point” that secured the existence, freedom and security of Turkish Cypriots. He said that Türkiye, acting under its rights and responsibilities as a guarantor power in accordance with international agreements, had ended the suffering of Turkish Cypriots and helped establish of peace and stability on the island.

Erdoğan also argued that proposals aimed at reducing Turkish Cypriots to minority status have repeatedly failed in the past, adding that lasting peace on the island can only be achieved through a fair, durable and sustainable settlement.

Reaffirming that Türkiye’s longstanding support for Turkish Cypriots, Erdoğan said, “Türkiye will never abandon its Turkish Cypriot brothers and will never allow the suffering of the past to be repeated, whatever the cost.”

Highlighting expanding cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in areas including tourism, higher education, technology and digital transformation, President Erdoğan said that, following the completion of the undersea water pipeline project, Türkiye plans to advance further strategic initiatives, including the construction of undersea natural gas pipeline linking Türkiye and the TRNC.